RANGER 37 Detailed Review
If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of RANGER 37. Built by Ranger Yachts (USA) and designed by Gary Mull, the boat was first built in 1972. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 11.28. Its sail area/displacement ratio 16.46. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on undefined.
RANGER 37 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about RANGER 37 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.
Boat Information
Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, contributions, who designed the ranger 37.
RANGER 37 was designed by Gary Mull.
Who builds RANGER 37?
RANGER 37 is built by Ranger Yachts (USA).
When was RANGER 37 first built?
RANGER 37 was first built in 1972.
How long is RANGER 37?
RANGER 37 is 8.63 m in length.
What is mast height on RANGER 37?
RANGER 37 has a mast height of 13.05 m.
Member Boats at HarborMoor
37' 1974 Ranger Yachts 37
The Ranger 37 design from the very talented board of Gary Mull, Rebel is a venerable "plastic classic" loved by knowledgeable sailors everywhere. Classed as a "high-performance cruiser, her fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder provides the speed & agility one wants in a racer & the stability & rudder protection favored by the cruising set. This particular vessel has been completely rebuilt and seller can share details of where he lavished $137,000 on her.
- New plumbing
- New electrical installation
- New battery charging system
- New high-tech batteries
- New composting toilet
- New interior
- New standing and running rigging
- New large volume refrigeration system
- New interior lighting
- New galley including a new stove.
If you like the boat but are not yet a diehard fan of these boats check out this article
https://www.nytimes.com/1973/03/03/archives/sorc-series-victory-unofficially-munequitas.html
Specifications
Basic information, dimensions & weight, tank capacities, accommodations, vessel details.
The interior of this boat was completely stripped and refit with an elegant teak interior and headliner that gives the vessel a luxuriant and contemporary feel throughout. Brand new stove and a two-drawer refrigerator complete the elegance of the main saloon.
Going forward the head compartment has also been completely remodeled with elegant teak trim and includes a shower and self-composting head.
Descending the companionway there is a galley to port and a pilot berth or storage area to starboard.
The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.
Share This Yacht
Contact A Yacht Specialist Fill out the form below and one of our yachting specialists will get in touch with you.
Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.
- Sailboat Guide
Ranger 37 is a 37 ′ 0 ″ / 11.3 m monohull sailboat designed by Gary Mull and built by Ranger Yachts starting in 1972.
Rig and Sails
Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
- SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D : Displacement in pounds.
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Ballast / Displacement * 100
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
Also called RANGER 1 TON. Tall rig: I: 50.30’ / 15.33m J: 15.65’ / 4.77m P: 45.40’ / 13.84m E: 11.80’ / 3.60m Tot. SA (100%): 661.46 ft2 / 61.45 m2
Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.
- About Sailboat Guide
©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
The Ranger 37 is a 37.0ft masthead sloop designed by Gary Mull and built in fiberglass by Ranger Yachts (USA) since 1972.
100 units have been built..
The Ranger 37 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser.
Ranger 37 for sale elsewhere on the web:
Main features
Login or register to personnalize this screen.
You will be able to pin external links of your choice.
See how Sailboatlab works in video
We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt
Accommodations
Builder data, modal title.
The content of your modal.
Personalize your sailboat data sheet
Review of Ranger 37
Basic specs., sailing characteristics.
This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.
What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?
The capsize screening value for Ranger 37 is 1.84, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - be accepted to participate in ocean races.
What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?
The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 7.0 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Ranger 37 is about 192 kg/cm, alternatively 1076 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 192 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1076 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
Sailing statistics
This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.
What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?
What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?
What is Displacement Length Ratio?
What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?
Maintenance
Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale
If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.
This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.
Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.
We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Ranger 37 it would be a great help.
If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.
- Advertising
- Distribution
- Good Jibes Podcast
- Boat In Dining
- Sailboat Charters
- Business News
- Working Waterfront
- Youth Sailing
MY BROTHER-IN-LAW BOUGHT A 33 FOOT RANDER AND I AM LOOKING FOR A GIFT FOR HIS BIRTHDAY. WONDERING IS THERE A BOOK ABOUT THE RANGER BOAT OR MAYBE A WOODEN SCALED DOWN MODEL FOR HIS DESK? THANKS, JAMES
There’s a really nice looking one that just came up for sale in Santa Cruz. 8,000 asking price. That’s a one worth a look.
Leave a Comment Cancel Reply
Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment.
A true Race Sailing experience > 6 Passengers | $250 per hour (3+ hour charters)
The Ranger 37, also called the Ranger 1 Ton, is an American made sailboat, that was designed by Gary Mull as an International Offshore Rule (IOR) one-ton racer and first built in 1973. The design is now out of production.
The Ranger 37 is a medium sized recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass. It has a masthead sloop rig, an internally-mounted rudder mounted on a skeg and a fixed fin keel.
It displaces 15,200 lb (6,895 kg) and carries 7,300 lb (3,311 kg) of ballast. The boat has a draft of 6.0 ft (1.8 m) with the standard keel.
The standard Ranger 37 has a PHRF racing average handicap of 126 with a high of 129 and low of 120. It has a hull speed of 7.13 kn (13.20 km/h). There was the option of a taller rig that results in a PHRF racing average handicap of 120 with a high of 120 and low of 116.
A RACE BOAT IS ONLY AS GOOD AS HER CAPTAIN
Meet Captain – Mick Moore – One of San Diego’s Best :: Captain Mick Moore is a 50 Ton Master Credentialed Sailing Professional. With years of not only sailing experience but racing experience, Captain Moore knows how to capture the wind with absolute control. Professional, experienced, friendly and full of knowledge, you and your guests are guaranteed to have an amazing sailing experience and feel like one of the crew.
Capture the Wind – Feel the power of the wind in the sails as speed increases, the keel tilts, the lines tighten and the adrenaline hightens. The sea is powerful. Commanded under the right hands you will know what it’s like to feel the freedom, the power and the true joy of sailing. In the San Diego Bay and in her open waters its majestic. Come experience the thrill with us …
- Sails & Canvas
- Hull & Structure
- Maintenance
- Sailing Stories
- Sailing Tips
- Boat Reviews
- Book Reviews
- Boats for Sale
- Post a Boat for Sale
- The Dogwatch
- Subscriptions
- Back Issues
- Article Collections
- Free for Sailors
Select Page
RANGER 37 -1974 Racer/Cruiser
1974 Racer/Cruiser. Gary Mull design. Very good condition. Same owners 36 yrs. Its life raced on Great Lakes except last 11 years. Recently new refrig, stove and Yanmar YM30, 280 hrs. Many extra sails .Custom installed Cherry overhead adds an extra beauty to cabin that sleeps 9 for racing or comfy cursing. Many Extras make Wildcat ready to sail away. Listed price or OBO.
https://sites.google.com/site/ranger37wildcat/
Now on Newsstands
Join Our Mailing List
Get the best sailing news, boat project how-tos and more delivered to your inbox.
You have Successfully Subscribed!
- New Sailboats
- Sailboats 21-30ft
- Sailboats 31-35ft
- Sailboats 36-40ft
- Sailboats Over 40ft
- Sailboats Under 21feet
- used_sailboats
- Apps and Computer Programs
- Communications
- Fishfinders
- Handheld Electronics
- Plotters MFDS Rradar
- Wind, Speed & Depth Instruments
- Anchoring Mooring
- Running Rigging
- Sails Canvas
- Standing Rigging
- Diesel Engines
- Off Grid Energy
- Cleaning Waxing
- DIY Projects
- Repair, Tools & Materials
- Spare Parts
- Tools & Gadgets
- Cabin Comfort
- Ventilation
- Footwear Apparel
- Foul Weather Gear
- Mailport & PS Advisor
- Inside Practical Sailor Blog
- Activate My Web Access
- Reset Password
- Pay My Bill
- Customer Service
- Free Newsletter
- Give a Gift
Rhumb Lines: Show Highlights from Annapolis
Open Transom Pros and Cons
Mailport: Charley Morgan, Locker Safety, Fast Bottom Paint
Rebuilding a Cape Dory 36 Part V
Do-it-yourself Electrical System Survey and Inspection
Install a Standalone Sounder Without Drilling
The Tricked Out Tillerpilot
Resolving Common Steering Problems
The Everlasting Multihull Trampoline
In Search of the Snag-free Clew
The Cruising Sailor’s Argument for High-tech Fibers
SNADs: Snaps Without Screws
Rudder Mods for Low-speed Docking
Using Heat to Bend PVC Pipe
Powering Your Boat Through a Storm
Can We Trust Plastic Boat Parts?
Repairing Molded Plastics
Mailport: Marine plywood, fuel additives, through bolt options, winch handle holders
Random Orbit Sanders for Bottom Paint Prep
Choosing and Securing Seat Cushions
Cockpit Drains on Race Boats
Rhumb Lines: Livin’ the Wharf Rat Life
PS Advisor: Acid Cleaning Potable Water Systems
Resurrecting Slippery Boat Shoes
Shoe Goo’s Gift to Sailors
PS Advisor: Tank Monitor and Camera Mount Hacks
Rhumb Lines: Cold Weather Sailing
Marine Toilet Maintenance Tips
Learning to Live with Plastic Boat Bits
The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Clear Plastic
Preventing Mildew in Marine Fabrics
Gearing Up for Winter Sailing
- Sailboat Reviews
This late 60s/early 70s IOR and MORC racer/cruiser was a hot boat in its day, and it still acquits itself reasonably well. But lightweight construction limits the 26s suitability for offshore.
Jack Jensen, founder of Jensen Marine in 1957 and builder of Cal boats, was in the late 60s enjoying success with boats like the Bill Lapworth-designed Cal 40. But his boats sold better on the West Coast than in other areas of the country. In order to appeal to Easterners, Jensen formed Ranger Yachts and commissioned Gary Mull to design the boats. Both Cal and Ranger were located in Costa Mesa, California, and both were sold to the conglomerate Bangor Punta in 1973. When Bangor Punta moved production of Cal to Florida in early 1981, it pulled the plug on Ranger. In 1983, Bangor Punta sold Cal and O’Day to Lear Siegler, which produced a few small Rangers, and built the three lines in Fall River, Massachusetts until shutting them all down by 1987.
Gary Mull, a well-known West Coast designer, designed the Ranger 26 in 1968 as a fast, roomy, multi-purpose sloop. Early literature touted it as “the first yacht of her size range designed and built to big yacht standards.” Construction ran from about 1969 to 1975.
Ranger Yachts also built a number of other models, including the 22, 23 (used in the movie version of “Dove”), 28, 29, 32, 33 and 37. The 37 was the last bonafide production boat to win the SORC—in 1972. Ranger also built a centerboard 26 in the late 70’s, but it is a different boat, and was less successful than the 26 reviewed here.
The Design Underwater, the Ranger 26 has a very clean, saucer-shaped canoe body (hull without appendages). The displacement/length ratio is 254, so she’s no super lightweight. The fin keel is swept aft a bit as is the balanced spade rudder. Interestingly, the rudderstock is nearly vertical, however. The bow has a pleasing rake to it while the transom is vertical. The waterline is unusually long for that era at 21′ 9″.
In profile, there is some spring to the sheer line. The profile of the cabin top is parallel with the waterline. There are two fairly large fixed windows in the main cabin and smaller ones forward for the head. The only light or ventilation source for the forward cabin is from an overhead hatch.
The rig is a high-aspect ratio sloop with upper shrouds and single lowers. The boom is quite high, diminishing the size of the mainsail for rating purposes. This feature also helps facilitate the use of a permanent boom vang and makes it less likely for crew to get bonked on the noggin.
One owner reported to us that his boat has a “San Francisco bay rig” that is 2′ shorter than the standard mast.
The sail/area displacement ratio is 15.9—in concert with its moderate displacement/length ratio.
The Ranger 26 was designed for outboard power. A 6-hp. motor pushes it reasonably well. A special well is molded into the transom that enables retraction of the outboard’s lower unit without bringing the motor head into the cockpit. The well is self-draining and there is a lip at the forward end to help keep following seas from sloshing into the cockpit. Offshore, however, the motor would best be stowed and the transom cutout fit with some sort of filler piece—epoxied plywood, King Starboard or the like.
The cockpit is fairly large and is protected forward by a fairly high molded coaming. The companionway sill, however, is quite low. In rough weather, it would be advisable to fit a sturdy lower companionway board.
Construction We don’t have a lot of information on the construction of the Ranger 26, but we’ll assume that the hull is solid fiberglass and the deck balsa-cored. The lapped hull-deck joint is caulked and fastened with self-tapping screws. A bonded and through-bolted joint is much preferred. Indeed, a number of owners complained about hull-deck joint leaks. The toe rail is perforated aluminum.
The main bulkhead is also a problem as it is designed to carry the compression loads of the mast. One owner wrote, “The wooden door frame to the forward cabin serves as support for the mast step on the cabin top. The bottom end of the door frame is glassed to the hull in the bilge. Bilge water caused the bottom end to rot.”
Other weaknesses include inadequate backing for stanchions, pulpits and deck hardware, which several owners said they had to fix. Leaks were also associated with the stanchions and hardware, as well as the extruded aluminum portlights.
On any older boat, bedding compound must be expected to have hardened and deteriorated. Removing deck hardware, rebedding and reinstalling is very important but admittedly an onerous task, requiring two people, one on deck with a screwdriver and the other below with a wrench on the nuts. If the fitting is near the hull, sometimes you can lock a pair of Vice-Grips on the nut and wedge it against the hull to resist turning from above. But for tightening, it’s always better to have the person on deck hold the bolt stationary and have the person below do the tightening with the wrench.
Another owner complained about leaking keel bolts, which again require periodic caulking.
A last comment on construction came from several owners who noted that the rudder has a fair amount of play in it. Rudder bearings are another item that must be replaced on older boats. Like rebedding deck fittings and portlights, dropping a rudder for maintenance work is neither easy nor fun, but important nevertheless. If you don’t have to dig a hole under the boat, count yourself lucky!
Performance The PHRF rating for the Ranger 26 averages about 198 in fleets around the country. This is faster than a Columbia 26, whose rating ranges from 210 to 220, but slower than a J/24’s average rating of 165-175.
Nevertheless, the Ranger 26 is a relatively quick boat for its length. The hull is quite flat aft, enabling her to nearly plane off the wind.
In his book, Choice Yacht Designs, author Richard Henderson (writing in 1979), wrote that according to a February 1969 issue of Yachting magazine, Gary Mull was the first designer “to have one of his model yachts surf in the Stevens Institute testing tank.” He went on to say that the Ranger 26 “has this unusual ability to surf or at least surge, and yet she is an all-around performer.”
Others who have raced this boat feel she does adequately in light and moderate winds, but really comes into her element in stronger winds. This would be born out by her comparatively high displacement/length ratio of 254 (a J/24’s D/L is just 190) and comparatively low SA/D of 15.9 (the J/24’s SA/D is 19.8). So it is true that in heavier weather the heavier boat gains its advantage over lighter, flatter bottom boats.
This still doesn’t mean the Ranger 26 will be comfortable offshore. First, she’s not a big boat. Second, she’s not really built for it. Richard Henderson tells the story of Bill Homewood’s participation in a Bermuda One Two race. The boat survived Force 7 conditions with a double-reefed main and 50% jib, even reeling off a 183-mile day. He finished the race in five days, seven hours, which is quite remarkable. But she leaked at lot at the hull-deck joint and he worried about the main bulkhead/door frame, which serves as support for the mast. He recommended beefing this up with a stainless steel girder.
The stability index, computed by US Sailing and based on the length of positive stability, is 114, which is below the 120 number we consider a minimum for offshore sailing.
Under power, the 6-hp. recommended outboard is OK, but not great, say owners. A few have gone to larger 8-hp. and 9.9-hp. motors. The boat is, however, quite maneuverable under power. But in larger seas, the prop may cavitate or come completely out of the water. This is a problem for most boats with outboards. A long-shaft model is essential, but because the motor is located at the extreme aft end of the boat, any extreme pitching motion is going to cause problems.
Interior The accommodations are basic: V-berth forward, rather small head with locker, a dinette to port and settee to starboard in the main cabin, and aft, straddling the companionway, a divided galley.
The 8′ 8″ beam is generous compared to older 26-footers, but does not make it the most voluminous 26-footer ever made. In fact, two boats of the same era—the Northstar 600 and Paceship PY 26—have beams of 9′ 0″ and 9′ 6″ respectively. Still, there’s adequate room in the Ranger, and besides, we’re not big fans of excessive beams as they can make the boat quirky to handle upwind in rough weather.
Dinettes vs. fold-down bulkhead tables have their pros and cons. Dinettes are generally sturdier than fold-down tables, but they occupy more space and when you want to get rid of them the only place they can go is down…to make a berth.
The port-side dinette in the Ranger 26 has seating only fore and aft, which makes it difficult to hold your place when the boat is heeled, especially on port tack.
The galley is quite small, but then this is just a 26-footer and unless we were cruising for a lengthy period we’d probably rather have its small divided galley than a larger one occupying the entire starboard side of the main cabin where the Ranger’s settee is located.
One owner said, “It has no real galley, but has a sink and space for a stove.”
The space for the stove aligns it athwartships where it cannot gimbal, so one would have to add a single-burner, gimbaled stove like the old Sea Swing for cooking at any angle of heel.
While basic, the accommodation plan does provide berths for four (theoretically five, but for two to fit comfortably in the dinette they would have to be either very small or more likely, children). It certainly will suffice for overnights and week-long cruises. It would be nice if the head was enclosed from both main and forward cabins, but as configured, the only door is at the main bulkhead. This presents problems when non-family members are aboard and someone wants to use the head in the middle of the night. What are you supposed to do? Roll over so they don’t think you’re looking, keep your eyes and nose closed, and think about something else, like waterfalls or throwing rocks into the lake.
Such is life on small boats!
Conclusion It’s hard to believe that the Ranger 26 now is 31 years old! It doesn’t look that aged. The boat sails well, though like any boat with a fin keel and spade rudder, she will require more attention at the helm.
Construction is fairly standard for mass production, but that’s not good enough for offshore. The list of complaints concerning the Ranger 26’s assembly is longer than for many other boats. Leaks in portlights and deck fittings can be fixed. Not so easy to remedy are the hull-deck joint and keel bolt leaks. And the weak main bulkhead will require some ingenuity to strengthen.
When one buys an old boat, adopt the maxim: “Anything can be fixed.”
Asking prices for Ranger 26s range between about $7,500 and $9,500, depending on condition and equipment. The difference between a 1971 and a 1975 model, as reported by the BUC Research Used Boat Price Guide, is not that much—about $900.
RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR
I have a ranger 26 ’73 Have you have heard of shaving down the “thickness of the fin keel” with a sawzaw to give less drag.. I would like break 9 knots
That’s a project that I would actually never consider. To start with, the keel is iron and “ shaving “ it would make shaving the backside of a grizzly seem easy. A sawsall would NEVER do the job , and there is actually no power tool for the job. Better off pouring a new lead keel or better yet, finding another boat that would suit your need for speed. A good motor might be Abandon hope, all ye who contemplate it.
That’s a project that I would actually never consider. To start with, the keel is iron and “ shaving “ it would make shaving the backside of a grizzly seem easy. A sawsall would NEVER do the job , and there is actually no power tool for the job. Better off pouring a new lead keel or better yet, finding another boat that would suit your need for speed. A good motto might be Abandon hope, all ye who contemplate it.
I agree with the keel maintenance, i.e. bolts being a B. yet Could a person ask about the replacing of window glass, dimensions, suggestions, many thanks.
LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply
Log in to leave a comment
- Privacy Policy
- Do Not Sell My Personal Information
- Online Account Activation
- Privacy Manager
- Forum Listing
- Marketplace
- Advanced Search
- About The Boat
- Boat Review Forum
- SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!
Thoughts on Ranger 22
- Add to quote
- Something my wife and I can handle ourselves (22-25 ft)
- Something with a somewhat comfortable cabin (to placate the wife)
- Something with a little bit of speed
- and finally PRICE (we need to stay in the 2K - 5K range)
I promise not to derail the discussion! I have sailed on a Ranger 22 and think they are a lot fun. I have no experience on a 23. What kind of conditions do you expect to encounter in Nashville and where will you be sailing?
Nashville winds are very fluky. I do not think I will go out initially in anything over about 15. I think. I have heard that the most annoying sailors are the ones that don't know what they don't know. I am not one of those. I know my inexperienced limitations. I am just looking for something that will help me while I learn, but will also take me further as we go along.
Clay: Check out this link. Its a great site that describes your boat in great detail. http://www.strictlysailing.com/ranger22/
The Ranger series of boats is generally well regarded. I just helped launch a Ranger 26 earlier this year. Quite a nice boat, but a bit small in my book. I think you'd do well with either the Ranger 22, 23 or 26. Used, they're all in that price range generally, unless in immaculate condition. A couple of things to be wary of on them. Many Rangers are raced, and as such, can have seriously more wear and tear on them than boats that were not raced. A survey is generally an excellent, almost mandatory, step to take on any that you find interesting. Another boat that might be of interest to you is the Santana 22, which was also designed by Gary Mull, designer of the Ranger sailboats. One other thing, you should set aside about 20% of your boat buying budget for equipment re-fitting, upgrades, and modifications. Not to discourage you, but every boat I've ever owned needed to have something done to make it workable for me. It doesn't matter whether the boat is new or used....it just seems to be a fact of life when it comes to boats.
The owner of this particular boat is the original owner. He bought the boat in 78. He has recently (last 3 years) replaced all of the winches, cleats, and teak. The sails (main and 155) are 1 year old mylar racing sails from a small loft in New York I believe. The spinnaker is the original and likely will need to be replaced when I am comfortable enough to fly one. He has told me that the boat will need some bottom work, ie small blisters to be taken care of and a new bottom. This should not be much trouble, as I will trailer the boat for the first couple of years. Thanks for the input, keep it coming!
Great post, great questions/answers...thanks for the posting!
I have sailed on a Ranger 26 and would buy one if I were looking for a nice handling, fast daysailer that could be easily trailered. I enjoyed more interior room in the R26 than I see on a Ranger 22. The larger R26 is easily handled by two adults and othe members. It is large enough to allow the entire family to grow with it. Otherwise, in a couple short years you could find the smaller R22 was outgrown due to your children's growth. But, I would advise you to seek a R26 instead of a Ranger 22 or 23 ft. Just my opinion.
My thought would be it would be a fun boat to have and learn on and give you the sense of sailing hard. My first keel boat experiance was on a Ranger 22 and it is a fairly fast boat, big deck to get around on, I suspect due to a race design. Kind of small down below so dont expect a week trip out on it. In good wind it heels way over but I was never afraid of it broaching.
In researching R23's, it seems fairly common for the keel-to-hull joint to have some issues - e.g., a crack at the joint that can get as bad as the keel loose enough to be moved from side to side. Does the R22 have any sort of reputation for such keel attachement issues?
Ranger 22 I sail a Ranger 23 as volunteer able-bodied skipper for a disabled sailing organization, The Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors in San Francisco Bay. I'll tell you that the 23 is stiff and handles well on SF Bay, where conditions can be severe and changing, particularly important with disabled passengers aboard. The best setup in my view would be for the skipper to have full control of tiller and mainsheet as the helmsman needs to feel the balance in the groove and is able to feel the boat adjusting to puffs. Would think that the 22 is simliar to the 23 in these respects, and if so it's a great boat. BAADS would not ever, every, use a boat for disabled sailors that was not a darned good boat, so the 23 is a good choice in my view. A
I owned a Ranger 22 for a couple of years and loved it. I used it mainly for racing and did very well with it. I also delivered a Ranger 23 for a local broker (4 day trip solo). I liked the Ranger 23 better. It has a bigger cockpit and cabin. It sails the same as the 22 in light air but is faster and handles better in wind over 10kts. I would reccomend the 23 over the 22.
I have sailed both boats. The Ranger 22 was designed as an IOR mini-tonner and while it is a pretty nice one design boat, it is a pretty compromised design relative to the Ranger 23 which was designed to be a good all around design and a MORC boat second. As has been said above, the Ranger 23 is a good boat on all points of sail, and across a wide wind range. The Ranger 23 is one of my favorite boats of this size and type and would probably be near the very top of my list of boats to learn to sail on and for a first boat. I would never recommend the Ranger 22 so highly. The keel issue is possibly true of any small, bolt on fin keeled boat of that era. It is repairable much more easily than repairing a delaminated keel cavity which would be the expected condition on an encapsulated keel boat of that era. Jeff
I've owned and sailed the same Ranger 22 for 33 years so far. The plus: Super easy to sail Goes like a rocket in light air Points higher than anything in our mixed PHRF fleet Great deck layout with sensible hardware All round fun boat to sail The minus: Pinched in old IOR rule transom makes it a handful on a spinnaker reach in a breeze Not even sitting headroom below Very tender so must be the first to reef on breezy days Not really a choice for a comfortable weekender. Take a look at the old Ranger 23 or even better a Tanzer 22
Alcan said: I've owned and sailed the same Ranger 22 for 33 years so far. The plus: Super easy to sail Goes like a rocket in light air Points higher than anything in our mixed PHRF fleet Great deck layout with sensible hardware All round fun boat to sail The minus: Pinched in old IOR rule transom makes it a handful on a spinnaker reach in a breeze Not even sitting headroom below Very tender so must be the first to reef on breezy days Not really a choice for a comfortable weekender. Take a look at the old Ranger 23 or even better a Tanzer 22 Click to expand...
- ?
- 173.5K members
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
The Ranger 28/32/37 series are, IMO, some of the nicest looking executions of the 70s IOR tumblehome hull era, Gary Mull had a nice touch with the lines. The 37 will be at its' best upwind, and as the Maestro says if you choose your sails and apparent angles wisely these types can offer a lot of boat for the money. Ron.
There was a 37 out there that had been heavily modified. New keel etc. I have a hard time believing that someone who intended to race would buy a Ranger 37 in 1980. The boat would have been out of date for IOR. So because I am not sure if this is a stock Ranger 37 this is the advice I have.
If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of RANGER 37. Built by Ranger Yachts (USA) and designed by Gary Mull, the boat was first built in 1972. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 11.28. Its sail area/displacement ratio 16.46.
It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind. KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*0.5
Design. The Ranger 37 is a small recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass. It has a masthead sloop rig, an internally-mounted rudder mounted on a skeg and a fixed fin keel. It displaces 15,200 lb (6,895 kg) and carries 7,300 lb (3,311 kg) of ballast. [1] [2] [5] The boat has a draft of 6.0 ft (1.8 m) with the standard keel. [1] [5]
31 Photos. 37 ft 37. The Ranger 37 design from the very talented board of Gary Mull, Rebel is a venerable "plastic classic" loved by knowledgeable sailors everywhere. Classed as a "high-performance cruiser, her fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder provides the speed & agility one wants in a racer & the stability & rudder protection favored by the ...
Boat Review Forum. SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more! ... Urgently need info , specs, data on the 70's Ranger 37 One-Ton racer/cruiser . Does anyone know where I can get some schematics and/or ...
Ranger 37 is a 37′ 0″ / 11.3 m monohull sailboat designed by Gary Mull and built by Ranger Yachts starting in 1972. ... The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in pounds. LWL: Waterline ...
Find more information and images about the boat and contact the seller or search more boats for sale on YachtWorld. ... 1974 Ranger Yachts 37 37ft. US$24,000 $217/month. San Mateo, California. Loans. Payment Calculator. Basics. Year: 1974: Make: Ranger Yachts: ... Reviews. 4.9. Based on 374 reviews. Vann, South Carolina ...
The Ranger 37 is a 37.0ft masthead sloop designed by Gary Mull and built in fiberglass by Ranger Yachts (USA) since 1972. 100 units have been built. The Ranger 37 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser.
The DL-ratio for Ranger 37 is 329 which categorizes this boat among 'heavy cruisers'. Heavy Light 21% 0 50 100. 21% of all similar sailboat designs are categorized as heavier. A heavy displacement combined with smaller water plane area has lower acceleration and is more comfortable.
The Endeavour 37 was based on a Lee Creekmore hull that was cut in half and extended. In a search for a budget cruiser, Practical Sailor examined a field of used sailboats costing less than $75K and built between 1978 and 1984. We narrowed the field to boats with sufficient accommodations for four people and a draft of less than 6 feet.
The last boats in the Ranger line were produced in 1978, with the final R-33 numbered 464. The parent company of both Ranger and Jensen, Bangor Punta, was going through an internal upheaval at the time - we'll call it corporate restructuring - and when the smoke cleared in '81, the Ranger name was shelved and the Cal division moved to ...
Sailboat Reviews; Sailboats 21-30ft; used_sailboats; ... The company built six Rangers in sizes ranging from 22 to 37 feet. The R-23 had an excellent production run, with 739 hulls built between 1971 and 1978. ... and what makes sailboats go, maintains the Ranger 23 Owners and Class Association at www.ranger23.com. Also With This Article Click ...
The Ranger 37 is a medium sized recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass. It has a masthead sloop rig, an internally-mounted rudder mounted on a skeg and a fixed fin keel. It displaces 15,200 lb (6,895 kg) and carries 7,300 lb (3,311 kg) of ballast. The boat has a draft of 6.0 ft (1.8 m) with the standard keel.
Sailboat Reviews. Rhumb Lines: Show Highlights from Annapolis. November 27, 2023. Open Transom Pros and Cons. Mailport: Charley Morgan, Locker Safety, Fast Bottom Paint. Rebuilding a Cape Dory 36 Part V. Big Cat Concerns. Buying a Used Multihull. Multihulls February 13, 2023.
19468 posts · Joined 2005. #2 · Sep 12, 2007. We had a real close look at a Ranger 30 during our last boat hunt... I would not put it in the same category as the earlier Mull 26/29/33 series. Usually pricier than a R29 but not necessarily a better boat (but, of course, somewhat newer)
1974 Racer/Cruiser. Gary Mull design. Very good condition. Same owners 36 yrs. Its life raced on Great Lakes except last 11 years. Recently new refrig, stove and Yanmar YM30, 280 hrs. Many extra sails .Custom installed Cherry overhead adds an extra beauty to cabin that sleeps 9 for racing or comfy cursing. Many Extras make Wildcat […]
Sailboat Reviews; Sailboats 31-35ft; Ranger 33 This boat would be a pretty good choice for either an entry-level club racer or a coastal cruiser. By. ... O'Day, and Ranger sailboats, plus several powerboat building companies. Several changes of ownership later, the three sailboat companies gradually sank in a sea of red ink, with O'Day and ...
The boat has a PHRF racing average handicap of 186 with a high of 195 and low of 180. The Ranger 29 has always been competitive when well sailed and these boats are still competitive in modern club racing. I've found one claim in the forums of someone doing a Single-Handed Trans Pac race in a Ranger 29, but otherwise, she is happiest coastal ...
Ranger Yachts also built a number of other models, including the 22, 23 (used in the movie version of "Dove"), 28, 29, 32, 33 and 37. The 37 was the last bonafide production boat to win the SORC—in 1972. Ranger also built a centerboard 26 in the late 70's, but it is a different boat, and was less successful than the 26 reviewed here.
It heals to 20 degree''s quickly and than stays there forever. There are several 32 owners that have been very sucessful with their boats. This year we raced our Ranger 32 in our clubs class A summer around cans. We were first place boat. Boats that were in the class include Metal Mast 37, C&C 35, Ben 40, Stevens 37, new 36.7, ben 32, etc.
I have sailed both boats. The Ranger 22 was designed as an IOR mini-tonner and while it is a pretty nice one design boat, it is a pretty compromised design relative to the Ranger 23 which was designed to be a good all around design and a MORC boat second. As has been said above, the Ranger 23 is a good boat on all points of sail, and across a ...